Efforts underway to save Yuma’s Kennedy Pool

The City of Yuma shares how the community can get involved with the planning process

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The gates to Kennedy Pool in Yuma have been closed for three years, but now the community is speaking out about their concerns and want to save the pool.

Yuma residents are coming together by signing a petition to save Kennedy Pool.

Jonny Porter, Yuma resident, parent, and local radio host of 100.9 said he always came here as a kid and would like to continue the tradition by bringing his children.

"Kids need a place to go and cool down and refresh and this is the perfect spot and it's been the perfect spot for a number of years now," said Porter.

60 years to be exact, but because of the pandemic the pool had too close.

And just as the city was preparing to re-open the pool this summer, Yuma's Park and Recreation Director Eric Urfer, said they found underlying issues with the piping.

"Started seeing some water loss and then through some further investigation we found out there were multiple leaks within the filtration system," said Urfer.

Urfer said it would cost about $1 million to fix.

The city will be launching a parks and recreation master plan process this summer where the public will be invited to join in on the conversation.

"It is our full intent to return some type of aquatic facility here to Kennedy Park. Again, it could be in the style of the pool that you see behind us now or it could be something completely different. Maybe we'll reimagine the whole thing, again that'll be up to the community and part of that process," explained Urfer.

Yuma residents have shown nothing but love and passion to get it back up and running with over 400 people signing the petition.

"What really touches my heart is seeing everybody in the community having a voice. That's what it's about. It's about the government working for the community and I think this speaks to that," said Porter. "And so this is a way for the community to be heard. We come in and have a big barbecue one day. We open it up and we celebrate together and it's a win-win situation for everyone."

Porter helped get the word out by posting the petition on his Facebook page and talking about the issue on his radio show.

"They left comments, they left memories talking about when they were a kid doing swimming lessons here and they want their kids to do swimming lessons here. They want their kids to be able to have that same experience that they once had," Porter continued.

Urfer said the petition will help, but not determine the final decision.

"To be truly successful they really need to represent what the community wants out of their parks recreation system today, five years from now, and ten years from now," said Urfer.

The city said the master plan will be completed in May 2024 and the re-opening of Kennedy Pool depends on what's proposed.

To stay up to date on the official launch of the parks and recreation master plan process, you can visit the City of Yuma's website.

You can also click here if you would like to sign the petition.

The city would like to remind Yuma residents there are three pools still going full throttle you can enjoy: Valley Aquatic, Carver Pool, and Marcus Pool. You can view the times and admission prices here.